The T Board names new president

Ballard is chief executive officer of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee. He was appointed MTA's CEO in 2002.

He has served as chief executive or general manager of multiple transit systems and has been president of two national transit management firms and operated or consulted on transit operations in 38 U.S. cities in 19 states.

Ballard's appointment follows the evaluation and interviews of final candidates by an executive search committee comprised of T board members and business and community leaders in Tarrant County. Candidates were recruited and recommended by a national search firm based on their leadership experience in public transportation, emphasizing passenger rail.

"This is the executive we want to lead The T at this point in time," said T Board Chair Scott Mahaffey. "His experience will be valuable to us as we navigate the next few years. Particularly in the area of commuter rail and the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts process, Paul's leadership is something that we will count on for our TEX Rail project."

"I am looking forward to working with the Fort Worth transportation board, management team, staff and city officials to implement The T's transit goals. I will enjoy participating in the significant changes underway such as the TEX Rail project," commented Ballard.